Most teachers have been led to believe that the way to demonstrate that they are on top of students behavior is to consistently monitor the classroom for students who are not following directions and then to quickly and firmly respond to their off-task behavior. “You get what you notice” A key to motivating students to follow your directions is to give them effective positive feedback. When you give directions to the students, you immediately monitor the class and look for students who are complying. Then, in a voice loud enough for the class to hear, you simply narrate, or describe, what you see them doing. You should start immediately after you give the directions (within 2 seconds). Describe the behaviors you are looking for multiple times with a variety of individuals around the room.
Directions – “When I say GO, I want everyone to go directly back to their seats, take out their books, and immediately get to work-and I want you to do this without talking. I’ll be looking for students who are following my directions. Ready, GO!”
Behavioral Narration – “Mary is going directly back to her seat without talking. Meredith has taken out her book and is already getting to work. Alberto has gone back to his seat, taken out his book, and is working without talking. (praise) Nice job and I want to thank all of team three for getting started and working.”
Why does this work? This strategy allows you to repeat your directions to students by describing the behavior of those students who are following your directions. You should only give praise when needed to recognize larger groups who are following directions. Excessive praise sounds unauthentic and too much becomes background noise after awhile.
Praise is judgmental – Behavioral Narration is descriptive. Behavioral Narration demonstrates to your students that you are on top of their behavior in a positive manner.